Combination sealing disk and nipple holder for nursing units



March 27, 1951 H. J. SEARER COMBINATION SEALING DISK AND NIPPLE HOLDER FOR NURSING UNITS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 15, 1948 INVENTOR. Hqrofd J. Searer J 85 HtTorng gf March 27, 1951 H. J. SEARER COMBINATION SEALING DISK AND NIPPLE HOLDER FOR NURSING UNITS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 13, 1948 llll FI E'- '7 INVENTOR. Harofd d. Searer 41 n Httorneqr Patented Mar. 27, 1951 UNITED STATES ?ATENT OFFICE COMBINATION SEALING DISK AND NIPPLE HOLDER FOR NURSING UNITS 8 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in sealing discs for nursing bottles, and more particularly it relates to increasing the functions of such discs whereby in addition to the usual function of sealing when a nipple is inverted in a bottle, the discs may also be utilized to engage and hold the nipple while the latter is being placed in in verted position in a bottle, and while the nipple is being moved from inverted position to operative position on a bottle.

The use of large-mouth nursing bottles employing flanged nipples which are held in place by a centrally apertured cap threaded onto the bottle has now become wide-spread. In its operative position the nipple extends through the aperture in the cap and the base flange of the nipple is clamped by the cap between the latter and the top of the bottle. When not in use, the nipple may be inverted so that it extends into the bottle with its base flange resting on the top of the bottle, and the cap will again hold it in such position. Due, however, to the central aperture in the cap, the interior of the nipple would be exposed to contamination in its inverted position, and it is customary to employ a sealing disc between the nipple and cap which closes the aperture in the latter. This sealing disc is only used when the nipple is in its inverted inoperative position and forms no part of the nursing unit when the nipple is in operative position on the bottle.

Heretofore, this sealing disc has been used only as a sealing medium and when it was desired to change the nipple from its inverted position in the bottle to its operative position on the bottle, the cap and disc were removed and the nipple was changed by grasping it in the fingers of the hand. Similar handling of the nipple by the human fingers was required in placing the nipple in inverted position in the bottle. This use of the human hands in handling the nipple has been objected to by some hospitals and nursing homes as unsanitary, and it is an object of this invention to abolish the need for using the human hands in placing the nipple in either its inverted or its operative position.

Another object is to provide a substantially central projection on either or both sides of the sealing disc, one of which projections is adapted to enter into and engage the inner wall of a nipple, whereby the nipple may be lifted and carried by holding onto the opposite side of the disc.

A further object is to provide a bead or ridge on the projection, preferably, but not necessarily, at the outer end of the latter, to insure a firm engagement between the projection and the wall of the nipple when it is desired to lift or carry the nipple.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section through the upper end of a nursing bottle with my sealing disc shown in proper engagement with an inverted nipple held in place by a cap;

Fig. 2 is a similar section showing the nipple removed from the bottle and held in one hand by means of the disc, while the other hand is holding an inverted cap;

Fig. 3 is a similar section showing the nipple forced through the apertured cap by using the disc and without touching the nipple with the fingers of either hand;

Fig. 4 is a similar section showing the disc in perspective and being removed from engagement with the nipple;

Fig. 5 is a similar section showing the nipple in operative position on a bottle;

Fig. 6 is a similar section showing a modified form of projection on the disc;

Fig. '7 is a section taken substantially on line '!-1 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 6 showing the disc being used with a modified form of nipple;

Fig. 9 is a View similar to Fig. 6 with a further modified form of disc being shown;

Fig. 10 is a plan view of either the top or bottom of the disc shown in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 8 with a further modified form of disc;

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 6 with a further modified form of disc; and

Fig. 13 is a section taken substantially on line !3-l3 of Fig. 12.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral .263 designates the upper portion of a nursing bottle of the wide-mouth type having a threaded neck 2i adapted to receive a threaded cap 22, centrally apertured at 23. In Fig. 1, a nipple, indicated as a whole by the numeral 24, is shown in inverted position in the bottle with its base flange 25 clamped by cap 22 between the upper end of bottle 20 and the lower face of a sealing disc, indicated as a whole by the numeral 25.

The nipple 24 is the type of nipple shown in my copending application, Serial No. 722,026, filed January 14, 1947, now Patent No. 2,513,896, granted July 4, 1950, formed of resilient, elastic rubber or rubber-like composition, and comprises I a neck portion 2? adjacent its base flange 25, which neck terminates in a bulbous breast portion 28. Formed integral with the breast portion 28 at the small end thereof is a tubular axial extension or body portion 29 that has a closed outer end or somewhat bulbous shape that constitutes a mouthpiece til. The latter is forn'ied with an axially disposed delivery aperture 3i through which liquid is drawn when the nipple i in operative position on a bottle.

lnteriorly of the breast portion 25 a tubular structure 32 extends concentrically thereof. Said structure 32 is an integral part of the nipple it, being united therewith at one end, the remainder of the structure being free and unattached in spaced relation to the neck 2? of the nipple. The free end of the structure 32 may terminate substantially coincident with the plane of the outer face of the flange 25, or it may be somewhat in-- ward or outward of this plane. The arrangement is such as to provide an annular internal cavity 33 in the nipple, which cavity surrounds the structure 32 and opens onto the outer face of the nipple. The cavity 33 is vented to the atmosphereby'a' plurality of venting apertures 35, 34,. which are of small diamensions and extend through the breast portion 2810f the nipple. The size of the apertures 3i and 34 is exaggerated for clarity or" illustration. The operation of the nipple will be readily understood by those skilled in this art, but for further information reference may be made to my said patent. For thesake of brevity, we will refer to the tubular structure 32 as the inner skirt portion of the nipple, while the outer skirt portion thereof will bethat portion spaced from the inner skirt by the cavity 33.

Coming now to my sealing disc 26, it comprises, in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 4-, an annular body portion 35, formed of aluminum or hard plastic or other suitable material, the outside diameter of which is slightly less than the outside diameter of the nipple flange 25 so that it may readily fit between the latter'fiange and the cap 22 when assembled on the bottle. An integral handle or gripping portion 35 extends from one side of the body 35, through the aperture 23in cap 22, while the other side or" the body 35 is provided with an integral narrow shoulder portion 31 having-an integral circular projection 38 substantially. central thereof. Projection 38 has an outside diametersubstantially equal to or slightlyless than the inside diameter of the inner skirt portion 32 of the nipple, so that it may readily fit into the inner skirt portion 32, as indicated in Fig. 1. An enlarged bead or ridge 39 is formed onv the projection 38, preferably, but not necessarily, at the free end thereof, this bead being of larger diameter than the inside diameter of the inner skirt 32. Projection 38 is made long enough to extend intothe inner skirt portion 32 of the nipple until, with the help or bead 39, the rubber in the skirt will grip and hold the projection, whereby the nipple may readily be held and carried by grasping the handle portion of disc 26, as indicated in Figs. 2 and 3. As will be observed from Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the bead 59 causes a slight distortion or deformation of the rubber in skirt 32 while the latter is in engagement with the projection.

When the nipple 2c is assembled with the nursing unit in inverted position, as in Fig. 1, it is an easy matter to move the nipple to operative position on the bottle without touching the nipple with the human hand. To accomplish this the cap 22 is first unthreaded fromthe neck of the bottle and held in reverse position between the fingers and thumb of one hand, for example, the left hand as shown in 2. The disc is then grasped by its handle portion 33 with the thumb and one or more fingers of the other hand, for example, the right hand as shown in Fig. 2. Due to the engagement of the disc with the inner skirt portion 32 of the nipple the latter will be lifted out of the bottle with the disc and carried to the position above the cap 22 which is shown in Fig. 2.

Next, the nipple 2 is pushed through the aperture 23 in cap 22 until flange 25 contacts the inner face of the cap adjacent aperture 23, as shown in Fig. 3. It will be noted that the greatest outide diameter of the breast portion 23 of the nipple is substantially larger than the diameter of aperture but the resiliency of the material of which the nipple is composed enables said breast portion to be deformed to the extent necessary to pass it throu h the cap aperture-23 and assume the position shown in Fig; 3 wherein the nipple is confined in the cap between the flange 25 and the breast portion "28.

The disc 26 is now pulled out of engagement with the nipple as indicated in Fig. 4. This disc is readily removed from the nipple by pulling upwardly on the disc, since the breast portion 28 of the nipple will contact the outer surface of cap 22 adjacent the aperture 23 and prevent reverse movement of the nipple through the latter aperture while the disc is being removed. From the position shown in Fig. 4, the cap and nipple are reversed and readily threaded on the bottle 2i} until they assume the position shown in Fig. 5, which is the normal operative position of these parts during nursing, although they will, of course, be tilted downwardly to permit liquid to be drawn from the bottle.

It is believed to be apparent that in addition to permitting the ready change of the nipple from inverted position in a bottle to operative position on a bottle without touching the nipple with human hands, my combination sealing disc and nipple holder is also adapted for placing the nipple in inverted position in the bottle, without touching the nipple with the human hands. For example, assuming that a nipple in the sterilizer or rack is ready to be placed in invertedposition in a bottle, the nipple may be moved with the sealing disc until it assumes either an inverted position or is lying on its side in the sterilizer or rack. The beaded end 39 of the projection 33 is now inserted into the inner skirt 32 of the nipple merely by pushing the projection slightly into the skirt. It is not necessary for the projection 38 to extend its full length into the skirt in order to pick up the nipple from the sterilizer or rack by means of the disc, and place the nipple in inverted position in the bottle. Once the nipple is in inverted position in the bottle, the projection 38 may be pushed its full length into the skirt-32, so that the cap 22 may be threaded on the bottle to hold the nipple and disc in the position shown in Fig. 1. Thus, it will be noted that the nipple may also be placed in inverted position in the bottle without touching the nipple with the human hands.

A modified form of sealing disc and nipple holder is shown in Figs. 6 and 7, wherein the pro jection 38 on the disc 2% differs in size and shape from the projection 38 on disc 25, so that projection 38' with its head 3% may be pushed between the inner skirt 42 and the outer skirt 43 of nipple 24. Projection 33' isannular and the free end of inner skirt 42 extends into this projection, as indicated in Fig. 6, with the bead 39' slightly distorting the outer skirt 43 as the projection 38 is pushed into the nipple. Except for the difference in size and shape of the projection 38', the nipple 24' may be pi ked up and carried by means of disc 23 in substantially the same manner described in connection with disc 26 and nipple 2 without touching the nipple with the human hands. Also, the disc 25' will readily function as a seal when the nipple 24 is properly clamped in mounted position in a bottle, as wil be understood.

In Fig. 8 I have shown a modified form of nipple, indicated as a Whole by the numeral M, which does not have an inner skirt portion similar to nipples 24 and 26'. One form of this type of nipple is disclosed in Patent No. 2,093,130, granted September 14, 1937. This nipple is also formed of resilient rubber or rubber-like material and comprises the customary base flange is joined by a neck portion 5 to a bulbous breast portion 41, which terminates in the usual apertured mouthpiece 43. The sealing disc 2G with its beaded projection 38, previously referred to in Figs. 6 and '7, may readily be used with nipples of the type shown at id for sealing the nipple in inverted position and for holding and carrying the nipple without touching the latter with the human hands. As will be observed from Fig. 8, projection 33' with its bead 39 is of a size that readily fits into the single skirt portion of nipple M, with the bead 39' being slightly larger in diameter than the inside diameter of the skirt portion, so that the nipple may readily be carried by the disc 2%.

Figs. 9 and 10 show a further modified form of sealing disc and nipple carrier for use with nipples having inner and outer skirt portions similar to nipples 2 and 24. As shown, this sealing disc, indicated as a whole by the numeral 56, comprises a circular body portion similar to body portion 35 of disc 26. Formed integral with the body portion iii, substantially centrally and on opposite faces thereof, are similar projections 58 having beaded portions 59, preferably at the outer ends thereof. The beaded projections 58 are similar to beaded projections 33 on disc 253 and are adapted to fit into the inner skirt portions Gil of nipple 6i in the same manner that projection 38 fits into nipple 2d. However, with the projections 53 being similar, it will be obvious that either of these projections may be inserted into the inner skirt of the nipple, while the one not in the nipple may be used as a handle to hold and carry the disc in the manner previously mentioned. The disc 56 will also function as a sealing disc when placed in the nursing unit with the nipple in inverted position, as will be understood.

In Fig. ll, I have shown a further modified form of sealing disc and nipple holding and carrying member which may be used alternately with either nipples of the type shown at 44 in Fig. 8, or nipples of the type shown at 2d, 2d and 5!. In this form, the disc, indicated as a whole by the numeral 66, comprises a body portion 61 similar to portion 5? of disc 56. Formed integral with one face of portion 61 substantially centrally thereof is a projection 58 having a beaded outer end portion 59', which is similar to beaded projection 58 on disc 56. The other face of portion 6'! has an integral projection 53 substantially centrally thereof having a beaded end portion 69, which projection is similar to beaded projection 33 on disc 26. As will be apparent from Fig. 11, projection 88 may be inserted into nipples of the type indicated at 44, and projection 58' will then be used as a handle for carrying the disc and nipple as previously explained. Projection 68 may also be inserted into the outer skirt of nipples of the type shown at 24 (Fig. 6), since such projection is similar to projection 38'. By reversing the disc 66 from the position shown in Fig. 11, the projection 58 may be used for insertion into the inner skirt of nipples of the type shown at 24' and 6!, in which case projection 68 is used as a handle for carrying the disc and nipple. Discs of the type shown at 66 in either position will also effectively seal the nipple when the latter is in inverted position in the nursing unit.

In Figs. 12 and 13 I have shown a further modifled form of sealing disc and nipple holder and carrier which may also be used with nipples of the type shown at E l, 24 and b i. This disc, which is indicated as a whole by the numeral 76, has a body portion ll with an integral handle portion 13 formed on one face thereof, while its opposite face has an integral circular projection 19 substantially centrally thereof provided with a beaded end portion 35]. Spaced from projection 9 on the same face of the body ii is an annular projection having a beaded end portion 85. Frojection i3! is similar toprojections EB and previously described, while projection 19 is similar to projections 33, 58 and 58 except that it is not as long as the latter projections. In fact, it is preferred that "the free ends of projections 79 and iii terminate in substantially the same plane, as indicated in Fig. 12. With the form of disc shown in Fig. 12, the inner skirt portion $2 of nipple 83 is adapted to fit in the space between the projections "iii and Bi, while projection 8! is adapted to fit between the inner skirt portion 52 and the outer skirt portion 84 of nipple Thus, there is in effect a double grip on nipple 83 which permits the latter to be held and carried by disc 56, while the latter will also function as a seal when the nipple is inverted in the nursing unit.

While I have illustrated and described pre-- ferred forms of my invention, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to these forms, and modifications and changes may be made within the spirit of the invention and within the scope of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A nursing unit comprising a bottle, a nipple inverted into said bottle and having a lateral flange seating on the outer edge of said bottle, a combined sealing and nipple carrying member having a body portion seating on the flange of said nipple, a projection on one face of said body portion extending into and engaging the open end of said nipple, a beaded portion on said projection to slightly stretch said nipple and insure tight engagement of the latter with said projection, a substantially centrally apertured cap secured over the mouth of said bottle and seating on said body portion of said member, and an extension on the opposite face of said body portion of said member protruding through the aperture in said cap to serve as a handle for carrying said member and said nipple.

2. A nursing unit of the character defined in claim 1 wherein the beaded portion on said projection is formed on the free end of the latter.

3. A nursing unit of the character defined in claim 1 wherein said extension comprises a duplication of said projection so that either will fit into tight engagement with the open end of said nipple.

4. A nursing unit of the character defined in claim 1 wherein said extension has a beaded portion; thereon sothat said extension will fit into tight engagement with the open end of said nipple.

5. A nursing unit comprising a bottle, a nipple having inner and outer skirt portions open at one end and inverted into said bottle, said nipple having a lateral flange seating on the outer edge of said bottle, a combined sealing and nipple carrying member having a body portion seating on the flange of said nipple, a projection on one face of said body portion extending into and engaging the inner surface of said inner skirt portion of said nipple, a, beaded portion on said projection to slightly stretch said inner skirt portion of said nipple and insure tight engagement of the latter with said projection, a substantially centrally apertured cap secured over the mouth of said bottle and seating on said body portion of said member, and an extension on the opposite face of said body portion of said member protruding through the aperture said cap to serve as a handle for carrying said member and said nipple.

6. A nursing unit comprising a bottle, a nipple having inner and outer skirt portions open at one end and inverted into said bottle, said nipple having a lateral flange seating on the outer edge of said bottle, a combined sealing and nipple carry ing member having a body portion seating on the flange of said nipple, a projection on one face or" said body portion extendin into and engaging the inner surface of said outer skirt portion of said nipple, a beaded portion on. said projection to slightly stretch said outer skirt portion of said nipple and insure tight engagement of the latter with said projection, a substantially centrally apertured cap secured over the mouth or" said bottle and seating on said body portion of said member, and an extension on the opposite face of said body portion of said member protruding through the aperture in said cap to serve as a handle for carrying said member and said nipple.

7. A nursing unit comprising a bottle, a nipple having inner and outer skirt portions open at one end and inverted into said bottle, said nipple having a lateral flange seating on the outer edge of said bottle, a combined sealing and nipple carrying member having a body portion seating on the flange of said nipple, a projection on one face of said body portion extending into and engaging the inner surfaoe of said inner skirt portion of said nipple, a second projection spaced from said first projection extending into and engaging the inner surface of said outer skirt portion of said nipple, a beaded portion on each of said projections to slightly stretch said skirt portions of said nipple and insure tight engagement of the latter with said projections, a substantially centrally apertured cap secured over the mouth of said bottle and seating on said body portion of said member, and an extension on the opposite face of said body portion of said member protruding through the aperture in said cap to serve as a handle for carrying said member and said nipple.

'8. A combination sealing disc and nipple carrying member for a nursing unit that includes a bottle, a nipple inverted into said bottle and having a lateral flange seating on the outer edge of said bottle, and a substantially centrally apertured cap secured over the mouth of said bottle and confining said nipple in saidbottle, said member comprising a body portion adapted to be seated between the flange of said nipple and the area of said cap adjacent the aperture in the late ter, a projection on one face of said body portion extending into and engaging the open end of said nipple, a beaded portion on said projection to slightly stretch said nipple and insure tight engagement of the latter with said projection, and an extension on the opposite face of said body portion of said member protruding through the aperture in said cap to serve as a handle for carrying said member and said nipple.

HAROLD J. SEARER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 280,656 Morris July 3, 1883 411,794 Eggers Oct. 1, 1889 1,735,670 Blumenfeld Nov. 12, 1929 1,957,969 L tle May 8, 1934 2,093,130 Kurkjian Sept. 14, 1937 2,093,730 Kurkjian Sept. 21, 1937 

